Ben McDougal serving as a leader for Post 68

McDougal graduated from Bridgeport before heading to WVU Potomac State to further his baseball career.

In his time with the Indians, McDougal was named first-team all-state in his senior season as a pitcher. In the year before, he was named a second-team all-state player as a utility.

McDougal held an average of .400 in his final season at Bridgeport to go along with a 6-1 record on the mound. McDougal also recorded 87 strikeouts in 55.3 innings of work.

So, when Ben McDougal ripped a ball over the fence during the team’s matchup with Fairmont Post 17, it looked like he’s been keeping up his work at the plate.

“I had had a bad game up to that point,” McDougal said. “So when I got up there, I wanted to take one deep, and it worked out.”

McDougal has finished the last five games with Post 68 with seven hits, one double and a home run.

The funny thing is, he hasn’t taken an at-bat in college yet in his career with the Catamounts.

Instead, his power comes from an old bond that he shares with Post 68 coach Frank Blake.

“Really, I wasn’t planning on playing,” McDougal said. “I’m a pitcher only in college, but when Frank texted me and he asked me to play with him, I went.”

McDougal’s been a stellar addition to the Catamounts roster. In his freshman season, he recorded seven wins and one loss in 11 appearances. McDougal threw 53 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings of work, allowing just 14 earned runs and 30 hits all year for an ERA of 3.47.

Now, he’s back with Post 68, hitting bombs while he’s yet to take to the mound during this offseason. It’s the inverse of his collegiate season.

“I’m taking a chance with it here, helping him out and having some fun with it,” McDougal said. “I should be pitching here in a little bit, that’s all I really need to work on.”

McDougal has known coach Blake for most of his life. While he originally planned for his summer to focus in on his pitching as he heads to his sophomore year with the Catamounts, McDougal is now working as a mentor for the younger Bridgeport core.

“I’ve known him all my life. I’ve looked up to him all my life,” McDougal said. “When a role model asks you to do something, you go do it.”

McDougal regularly bats toward the center of the order for Post 68. He’s taken to his role as a leader well, typically being a source of communication when the team is rallying back to the top of the order.

“It’s great, these guys are great,” McDougal said of playing with the younger players with Post 68. “I like hanging out with them. I show them some things when I can, too.”

McDougal and the rest of Bridgeport Post 68’s team will continue their march toward the postseason with a matchup with Buckhannon Post 7 on Thursday. Bridgeport took the previous contest between the two teams with a final score of 3-2.